Hi folks. After chasing hot oil temps for the last year since repowering with hp500's (running up to 260 on my gauges), I finally checked temps of the oil filter with an IR gun and turns out its way cooler, around 200 degrees or so. As I understand this can be a mismatch between the sensor and gauges? (Oddly I have 2 different oil temp gauges upon closer inspection, one Gaffrig and the other Livorsi but both are reading high similarly).

It put my mind at ease to know im not running too hot, but it just occurred to me that I better check if this means the overheating alarm won't be triggered until way past the point it normally kicks in. Ive had a hose come off before when running and the alarm saved me from any serious damage. Anyone have some advice on this?

Not knowing your exact motor configuration I'll say this; There is normally a Tan/Blue wire which goes from the alarm horn which goes to the oil pressure, temp and lube bottle switches. The temp switch is on the thermostat housing and if it closes (from getting to hot) it grounds the Tan/Blue wire and the alarm goes off. Depending on which switch is installed will determine when the switch closes. Can test it by placing in a pan of water and heating it up with thermometer and ohm meter

The sensor should have a spec for resistance at temperature graph.

As mentioned, sensor in hot water tested with a good thermal gun, and you could at least get a baseline reading of resistance. Obviously, you'll have a hard time testing it to 260 deg in water...

Gaffrig Precision Instruments and Livorsi are the same company.
Gaffrig Performance is a different company and won a lawsuit against Livorsi to keep the Gaffrig name.